The Urban Planning Society of China held a special session on sustainable heritage at the 60th World Planning Congress

Introduction

At the 60th World Planning Congress held in Siena, Italy, on the morning of October 9, the Urban Planning Society of China hosted a special session titled "Sustainable Heritage: Innovating for Tomorrow, Honoring the Past" as part of the China section. Experts from Beijing, Jiangsu, Guangzhou, and various universities were invited to share their practices and experiences in historical heritage preservation.

With the rapid development of global urbanization, the preservation of cultural heritage has become a key concern for cities worldwide, especially in rapidly developing countries like China. Cultural heritage serves as a lasting testament to our shared human history, encompassing timeless narratives, traditions, and artistic expressions. Protecting these irreplaceable assets and revitalizing them to promote sustainable urban development is more urgent than ever. This special session aims to explore China’s innovative practices in historical and cultural preservation, focusing on how to effectively safeguard cultural heritage while supporting the future development of cities.

Shi Nan

Executive Vice-president and Secretary General of the Urban Planning Society of China

The special session was chaired by Shi Nan, Executive Vice-president and Secretary General of the Urban Planning Society of China (UPSC). Keynote presentations were delivered by several experts, including Shi Xiaodong, Executive Director of UPSC and Director of the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning & Design; Yang Junyan, Deputy Chair of UPSC’s Basin Space Planning Division and Professor at the School of Architecture, Southeast University; Li Chi, Director of UPSC’s Landscape Architecture Committee and Professor at the School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University; Ding Shouyi, Director of the Beijing Branch of the Guangzhou City Planning Institute (GZPI); and Zhang Jinshuai, Deputy General Manager of the Suqian Urban Planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd., under the Jiangsu Provincial Planning and Design Group Co., Ltd.. Pietro Elisei, President of the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) delivered opening remarks. Vice Presidents Rolf Schuster and Ali Ailouf, along with over 50 domestic and international colleagues from related institutions, attended the session.

Shi Xiaodong

Executive Director of the Society and Director of the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning & Design

Director Shi Xiaodong delivered a report titled "Beijing Central Axis: A Masterpiece of China's Ideal Capital City Order," introducing the basic facts about the Beijing Central Axis. He elaborated on the heritage value of the Central Axis from the perspectives of its regional site selection, planning layout, functional traditions, and architectural aesthetics. He also shared experiences regarding the overall protection of the Central Axis, the transmission of its heritage values, and its future development.

Yang Junyan

Deputy Chair of the Society’s Basin Space Planning Division and Professor at the School of Architecture, Southeast University

Professor Yang Junyan's report, titled "Mutual Reflection of the Virtual and Real: Exploring the Use of Digital Technology in the Regeneration and Scene Recreation of Historical and Cultural Districts," addressed the practical challenges, industry problems, and scientific issues in the preservation and development of historical and cultural districts. He proposed a solution through the mutual reflection of the virtual and real, and introduced a comprehensive technical process that includes digital holographic collection, 3D sandbox intelligent engines, spatial performance intelligent analysis, and a virtual-real mutual reflection typology guide.

Ding Shouyi

Director of the Beijing Branch of the Guangzhou City Planning Institute (GZPI)

Director Ding Shouyi presented on the topic "Heritage Preservation and Sustainable Development in the Context of Rapid Urbanization-The Guangzhou Practice," introducing the cases of Pantang Wuyue and T.I.T Creative Park in Guangzhou. He emphasized the protection and transmission of historical and cultural heritage in urban and rural development, advocating preservation promotion through usage, integrating preservation into development comprehensively, and fostering collective efforts in heritage protection across society.

Zhang Jinshuai

Deputy General Manager of the Suqian Urban Planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd. under the Jiangsu Provincial Planning and Design Group Co., Ltd.

Deputy General Manager Zhang Jinshuai, speaking on the theme "From 'Fragmented Protection' to 'Systematic Inheritance'-Reflections Based on the Planning of the Grand Canal National Cultural Park," pointed out that cultural heritage preservation should shift from "fragmented" to "systematic" approaches. He also highlighted the transition from static "protection" to dynamic "inheritance," integrating cultural heritage into the daily lives of residents and awakening their cultural awareness.

Li Chi

Director of the Society’s Landscape Architecture Committee and Professor at the School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University

Professor Li Chi shared the case of "The Protection and Development of the Ming Tombs, a World Cultural Heritage Site," stating that historical heritage shows a trend toward integration, dynamism, and systematization over the long course of development. He emphasized that enhancing understanding of the landscape value, protection methods, and utilization strategies of cultural heritage will further promote its transmission and development.

Experts shared China's experiences on topics such as how to balance heritage preservation with active utilization, the positive roles of various stakeholders in heritage protection, and the active participation of society in heritage conservation. They also engaged in in-depth on-site interactions.

This special session was jointly hosted by the CCSC Professional Committee, which provided significant support for the successful organization of the meeting.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/AmrEjrs6lGc87EOY9V_iYQ <https://www.planning.org.cn/news/view?id=14716&cid=12>

Translated by He Huiling